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www.ijraset.com Vol.

2 Issue V, May 2014

ISSN: 2321-9653

I N T E R N A T I O N A L J O U R N A L F O R R E S E A R C H I N A P P L I E D S C I E N C E AN D
E N G I N E E R I N G T E C H N O L O G Y (I J R A S E T)

EFFECT OF INK SEQUENCE ON DENSITY OF SHEET-


FED OFFSET PRINTING INK
Vikas Solanki1, Ambrish Pandey2, Anil3

Abstract: The aim of this paper is to explain the variation in the density of different colors in different ink sequence. The
sequence of colors is very important for the print quality in the sheet fed offset. While CMYK and KCMY are the standardized
sequences for offset lithography but there is possibilities of printing work carried out by five different color sequences namely
CMYK, MYCK, YMCK, KCMY and KYMC. In order to identify the effect of ink sequence in sheet fed print quality, a master is
prepared and printing is done in the local printing press of repute. Our aim is to find the effect of different ink sequence in
printing and further to choose best out of them.

I. INTRODUCTION Flexography as discussed by Sachi Patel in her thesis. She


determined the effect of ink sequence for process colos in
Ink sequence is the concept in which the process color inks are
Flexography. Out of the five sequences that were tested, no one
printed consecutively in the four-color printing process. It is also
sequence was better than another in all sequences. Out of the
referred to as the Ink lay down Sequence. In four color printing,
five sequences, four sequences (CMYK, YMCK, KYMC And
Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black inks are printed on the paper
MYCK) produced moire-like pattern in shadow or heavy ink
in very thin layers approx. (2-4 micron). Most of the press
coverage regions that uses Black and Cyan inks, while KCMY
operators establish and maintain strict sequences for printing
was the only sequence that trapped well and did not produce any
each of the colors at their establishments. The sequence is very
moiré-like pattern. Therefore, in Offset Printing process also,
important due to several practical reasons. Many printers prefer
the ink sequence can significantly affect print quality on
a substandard printing sequence of Black(K) ink in the first
different substrates. By studying different literatures we came to
printing unit, Cyan(C) in the second printing unit, Magenta(M)
this conclusion that we will examine the effect of different ink
in the third and Yellow(Y) in the fourth printing unit. In another
sequences on print quality in Sheet-fed Offset printing on Art
system, Black(K) ink from the first printing unit is shifted to the
paper.
fourth printing unit, if the press operator requires a high
coverage of Black(K) ink. By study, it is found that ink Mathematically, by using four process colors (Cyan, Magenta,
sequence play a crucial role in achieving print quality in Yellow, and Black), 24 different ink sequences are possible. In

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www.ijraset.com Vol. 2 Issue V, May 2014

ISSN: 2321-9653

I N T E R N A T I O N A L J O U R N A L F O R R E S E A R C H I N A P P L I E D S C I E N C E AN D
E N G I N E E R I N G T E C H N O L O G Y (I J R A S E T)
this study, five of these 24 sequences are tested. Opinions of sequences. No more variation can be seen in the value of density
four industry experts were taken about the sequence of violet color with different ink sequences. The density value of
predominantly used by them for printing process colors. The red is higher in YMCK sequence at 100%.
next two sequences were selected based on this informal survey;
The density value of Red, Green and Orange shows some
they are YMCK and MYCK. The other two sequences (CMYK
variation with different ink sequences. On the other hand Blue,
and KCMY) were selected because they are the standard
Brown, Violet and Purple does not show more variation in the
sequences for offset lithography; hence, they were selected to
density. So, in this way, it is find that Blue, Brown and Violet
make a comparison between the two processes. The fifth
color has no more effect with different ink sequences and Red,
sequence, KYMC, was selected, as it was one of the two
Green & Orange color shows variation in density with different
sequences suggested by the first, the other was YMCK. The
color sequence.
order in which the press run was performed YMCK, MYCK,
CMYK, KCMY, and KYMC, with the printing units
Color CMYK MYCK YMCK KCMY KYMC
interchanged to change the sequence of inks. Red 1.2 1.31 1.74 1.62 1.57
Green 1.21 1.19 1.56 1.52 1.45
II. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Blue 1.38 1.4 1.5 1.59 1.41
For this study, first of all a suitable master was prepared. The Brown 0.57 0.59 0.73 0.7 0.68

printing work was carried out in Dora Offset Printing Press, Violet 0.3 0.38 0.38 0.43 0.31
Orange 1.27 1.25 1.63 1.58 1.53
Hisar. The press conditions were set. The design of master is
Purple 0.85 0.92 1 1.09 0.76
such as in which the value of density and other values can be Table 1.Density value at 100%
measured easily in effective way. After preparing the master,
plate was prepared and then we took prints with five different 2
sequences (CMYK, MYCK, YMCK, KCMY and KYMC) on
1.5
Art Paper. Then the density of different samples were measured
with the help of densitometer and this data are analyzed with 1
suitable statistical, quantitative methods and tools.
0.5
Data collection & Analysis
0
In the printing industry the value of density plays an important Red Green Blue Brown Violet Orange Purple
CMYK MYCK YMCK
role. Here, the data of density was measured, it is found that the
KCMY KYMC
value of density of violet color is lower in all (five) the ink

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www.ijraset.com Vol. 2 Issue V, May 2014

ISSN: 2321-9653

I N T E R N A T I O N A L J O U R N A L F O R R E S E A R C H I N A P P L I E D S C I E N C E AN D
E N G I N E E R I N G T E C H N O L O G Y (I J R A S E T)
Fig.- 1, Density value at 100% Table 3.Density value at 15%

Color CMYK MYCK YMCK KCMY KYMC 0.25


Red 0.57 0.61 0.82 0.73 0.62
0.2
Green 0.42 0.39 0.68 0.51 0.53
Blue 0.61 0.62 0.67 0.7 0.62 0.15
Brown 0.27 0.24 0.31 0.36 0.3
Violet 0.18 0.2 0.17 0.19 0.19 0.1

Orange 0.51 0.56 0.79 0.71 0.66


0.05
Purple 0.39 0.44 0.49 0.42 0.37
Table 2.Density value at 70% 0
Red Green Blue Brown Violet Orange Purple
CMYK MYCK YMCK
0.9
0.8 KCMY KYMC
0.7
0.6
Fig.- 3, Density value at 15%
0.5
0.4
0.3 Result & Conclusion
0.2
0.1 By this study, we find out that there are no more variations in
0
the density value of Blue, Brown and Violet color with different
Red Green Blue Brown Violet Orange Purple
CMYK MYCK YMCK ink sequence as shown in fig- 1, 2 and 3. It is find out that if
KCMY KYMC there is need of higher density value of Red then, the YMCK ink
sequence and for lower density CMYK ink sequence can be to
Fig.- 2, Density value at 70% be used. For the higher density value of Green, the YMCK
sequence and for lower density MYCK sequence will have used.
Color CMYK MYCK YMCK KCMY KYMC The same way for higher density of Orange YMCK sequence
Red 0.19 0.19 0.23 0.23 0.21 will have to be used and for lower density CMYK ink sequence.
Green 0.13 0.11 0.18 0.2 0.18
YMCK is best out these five sequence found in this study as
Blue 0.18 0.2 0.19 0.21 0.2
compared to other with reference to density.
Brown 0.09 0.1 0.11 0.08 0.11
Violet 0.06 0.08 0.07 0.06 0.06
Orange 0.13 0.14 0.17 0.17 0.15
Purple 0.11 0.12 0.18 0.14 0.13

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www.ijraset.com Vol. 2 Issue V, May 2014

ISSN: 2321-9653

I N T E R N A T I O N A L J O U R N A L F O R R E S E A R C H I N A P P L I E D S C I E N C E AN D
E N G I N E E R I N G T E C H N O L O G Y (I J R A S E T)

REFERENCES 1. M. Tech.(Printing Technology), Department of Printing


Technology, GJUS&T, Hisar.
1. Patel Shachi K. (2009), “Determining the Effect of 2. Associate professor, Department of Printing
Technology, GJUS&T, Hisar.
Printing Ink Sequence for Process Colors on Color
3. Teaching Associate, Department of Printing
Gamut and Print Quality in Flexography”, Journal No. Technology, GJUS&T, Hisar.
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